Trisagion Today

Trisagion prayers will be offered at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy today for the repose of the soul of the servant of God, George Kalodikis (12 years). May his memory be eternal!

Nametag Sunday - Today

Ever say to yourself, “I know that person but just can’t remember their name”? Wouldn’t it be nice if people would just wear nametags, so we know who they are? Today at Holy Trinity Church, that’s just what we’re doing. Sponsored by the Hospitality Ministry, “Nametag Sunday” is a great way to meet people, address them by name, all while taking away the guesswork. Nametags will be offered to everyone as they enter the service today.

Ten Minutes of JOY

Our children in JOY (grades 3-6) will meet with Father Radu for ten minutes after their Church School lesson today. They will discuss various topics of interest to our children.

Social Committee Survey

The Social Committee requests two minutes of your time. Please stop by the Social Committee’s table after Liturgy and fill out a short survey. Your input will help us plan the social activities for Holy Trinity! Thank you.

Holy Trinity Dance Troupe – Pancake Rally - TODAY

The Holy Trinity Dance Troupe will be hosting an “all you can eat” Pancake Rally today following Liturgy. The menu includes pancakes, bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs and drink choices of apple juice, orange juice and coffee. A minimum donation of $5 for Children’s tickets (ages 18 and under) and $8 for Adult tickets is requested. All proceeds will go towards purchasing new dance costumes. Opa!

GOYA Fellowship - TODAY

The GOYA teen ministry is holding its monthly fellowship today, hosted by Katerina and Themi Balouris from 2-4:30 pm.

[Oct 22, 24] “Faith and Family WEEKDAYS” This Week

Holy Trinity Church’s new, expanded “Faith and Family WEEKDAYS” ministry continues this month. Building on the fruits of our last five years, we are now including more days and more opportunities for everyone to participate in and grow from worship, spiritual life and educational ministries beyond Sunday morning and to make the Church the "crossroad of daily life”.

THIS WEEK’S OFFERINGS:

• Daily: Prayer Partners. Have you remembered your prayer partner every day? Please keep the promise.
• “Journey to Fullness” - Faith Growth Ministry - Mon. Oct 22, 7:00pm: This excellent video teaching series is for everyone who wants to learn more about the “fullness of the faith” found in Orthodox Christianity, whether as inquirers, catechumens or life-long members. This 8-week series (repeated in the fall and the spring) consists of two video teaching segments per session, along with an interactive question and answer period with Father John.
• “Explore the Word” - Bible Study Ministry - Wed. Oct 24, 6:30pm Worship/7:00pm Bible Study. Prayerfully read the Bible! In Deut. 11, it says, “Lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul.” Each Wednesday come and till your heart in worship in the Church at 6:30pm and then meet at 7:00pm in the Conference Room for the study of the Gospel of St. Matthew led by Father Radu Bordeianu. Learn the Scriptures. Depend your faith. “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3.18).

[Oct 23, 25] Philoptochos Baking Dates – Beginning this Week!

We will be preparing homemade pastries and breads for our Holiday Bake Sale beginning this week in the Bakery area of Kitchen.  If you are available to help with baking on any of the days, please join us for an hour or more! Don’t know how to make Greek pastries? We offer on the job training!  Any questions? Please call Nicole Steiner 412-781-6109.

• Tuesday, October 23: 9am-9pm Spanakopita
• Thursday, October 25: 9am-9pm Tiropita
• Tuesday, November 27: 9am-9pm Koulourakia
• Thursday, November 29: 9am-9pm Baklava/Kourambiedes
• Thursday, December 20: 9am-4pm Sweet Bread

[Oct 27] H.O.P.A. Foundation - OXI Day Celebration

This Saturday, October 27, the H.O.P.A. Foundation will present an OXI Day Celebration beginning at 6:00pm, at the Kimisis Tis Theotokou Community Center in Aliquippa, featuring the documentary movie “Trezoros - The Lost Jews of Kastoria.” Light refreshments will be served.  If you are interested in attending, please call George Kazas at 724-775-3255.

[Nov 4] Regular Fall General Assembly

Please plan to attend the regular Fall General Assembly on Sunday, November 4. An agenda was mailed in the October edition of the Herald. This Assembly is to review parish life, nominate candidates for the Parish Council and other important committees and hear reports on important parish matters. It is vital to the life of a healthy community that all members attend, as these meetings are quite important in the day-to-day life of the parish. Please remember that, to vote at an assembly or in elections, you must be a member in good standing as defined in the Uniform Parish Regulations. Also, the requirements to run for Parish Council according to the UPR and the Holy Trinity By-Laws are indicated in the nomination form mailed in the Herald. These include, but are not limited to, being an enrolled member in good standing for three years prior to the date of nomination, having a signed 2018 Holy Trinity Stewardship Pledge card submitted and attending the Parish Council Seminar on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at 6:30pm. The Parish Council elections are scheduled for December 2, 2018. Whether it is attending assemblies, being voted on council, taking in a leadership role in a ministry or just getting involved more, the Lord has a calling and a role for every one of us at Holy Trinity Church because you are a part of the Body of Christ and have an important contribution to offer. God has already equipped you with it and is waiting for you to step up and use it. Consider it. Pray about it. What's yours?

[Nov 9] Kardiotissa – Tender Hearted Icon of the Theotokos

Please join the Community of Holy Cross Pittsburgh for an All-Night Vigil with the Kardiotissa – Tender Hearted Icon of the Theotokos on Friday, November 9. This miraculous Icon has been streaming myrrh almost continuously for seven years. Come when you can and stay as long as you want. 6:00pm Arrival of the Kardiotissa Icon; 7:00pm Small Paraklesis to the Theotokos; 8:00pm Sermon and stories by Fr. Mark Leasure, followed by Anointing with Myrrh; 10:00pm Festive Matins/Orthros Service; 11:30pm Divine Liturgy; 1:00am Light Meal. The church will be open all night for you to come and pray. The Icon will depart Saturday morning. Holy Cross Church is located at 123 Gilkeson Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15228.

[Nov 11] Military Appreciation Day, Card Signing and Coups for Troops

In observance of Veteran’s Day, the Visitation Ministry Team needs your support once again to coordinate a Military Appreciation Day in honor of parishioners, family, and community members who have served and are still serving our country in the military.  This tribute will include a memorial service for all veterans and fallen heroes, and special recognition of living veterans and active military service members.  Please provide the full name, branch of service, and period of service (if known) for any active-duty, reserve, and military veterans (living or reposed) so that we may offer our prayers and gratitude on this memorable day.  It will also be appreciated if you are able to provide a framed photo copy of each honoree (no original photos please) that we will proudly display during Coffee Hour.  To submit your service member information, please contact Sherry Clayton at 412-216-4793 or saclayton12@yahoo.com.  Also, our gratitude will be further demonstrated by a Card Signing event by all parishioners during Coffee Hour. The cards created through our labor of love will be distributed in care packages to Deployed Troops, Veterans, First Responders, and Wounded Warriors by Operation Gratitude, a wonderful organization whose mission is to lift the spirits of the Military. We were blessed and excited with participation in last year’s beautiful celebration, and we hope you will join us on Sunday, November 11^th. May God bless all those who have served and/or continue to serve with honor and courage! Finally, Clipping coupons for a cause…Coups for Troops is another way we support overseas military families.  Please collect manufacturer’s coupons (internet printed included) in categories of Food, Non-food, Baby, and Pets to be donated by our HT family for overseas distribution by this amazing organization.  Coupons can be used by military families up to 6 months after expiration dates.

[Nov 11] IOCC Orthodox Homefront; Parish Emergency, Disaster Preparedness & Response Workshop

On Sunday November 11 from 2:30-5:30pm Holy Trinity will be hosting the IOCC’s Orthodox Homefront Workshop. Part of IOCC’s US Program, the Homefront helps parishes prepare for regional emergencies, disasters, and parish critical incidents, enhance their capability to respond, and connects parishes with a network of organizations and agencies active in emergencies. Parish leaders, especially clergy, parish council members, and laypeople with expertise in emergency response, health & social services are encouraged to attend. Register by Nov 8 at: HolyTrinityPgh.org/events/homefront

[Nov 11] IOCC Dinner with Wine Pairings

Come and enjoy a traditional family-style Middle Eastern feast with four wine parings on Sunday, November 11 from 6:00-8:00pm. This IOCC fundraiser will be hosted by Khalil’s II Restaurant located at 4757 Baum Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Tickets are $75.00 per person. Limited seating is available. Please RSVP by November 6. Questions? Contact Danielle Opacic at dopacis@verizon.net or 412-915-5525. Tickets & Sponsorships at: www.iocc.org/pittsburgh 

Philoptochos Holiday Bake Sale

As we approach the holiday season let the ladies of the Philoptochos help check something off your list!  It is time for our annual Holiday Bake Sale of Spanakopita, Tiropita, Baklava, Kourambiedes, Koulourakia, Finikia, Paximadia and Sweet Breads.  Impress your family and friends with our homemade goodies and help a worthy organization at the same time! All proceeds go to our outreach ministries including foodbanks, shelters, disaster relief; local and nationwide and many more.  Order forms are available at the church office window and will also be included in the November edition of the Herald.  Order now as quantities are limited!  All orders must be received and PREPAID by Sunday, December 9, 2018.  Orders will be packed and ready for pick up following Liturgy on Sunday, December 23, 2018.  Any questions? Please call Nicole Steiner at 412-781-6109.

Holding a Ministry Activity or Committee Meeting at Church? Reservations Required!

Our community and its ministries are growing! If your ministry or committee is planning a meeting or activity and you are planning to hold it at the church, please note that reservations for rooms and event spaces are required. Please call the Church Office at 412-366-8700 and speak to our Office Administrator, Mary Portellos. There have been times when all the spaces have been filled, so your cooperation helps ensure every group that needs a place has one and helps minimize space conflicts. We have a beautiful facility – let’s work together so everyone who needs it can use it. Thank you!

Pave a New Path in Holy Trinity's History! Paver Project Now Underway!

“Leave a footprint on the sands of time” (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow). All great individuals have left a footprint on history. Be a part of Holy Trinity’s historical footprint by purchasing a paver for yourself and/or your loved ones.  Leave a lasting memory of your family name, or someone else’s name. Engrave a lasting tribute in honor of or in memory of a special person in your life. Or capture a very special event, like a wedding or baptismal anniversary. Please email Karen Georgiadis or Kathy Balouris at pavers@HolyTrinityPgh.org. Information is also available at on our website at www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/pavers. We will be selling pavers until Friday, November 16, 2018, unless we sell out before then. The inscription process begins this winter, with the Path will be installed in early spring 2019.

Welcome, Holy Trinity Guests!

We welcome all our guests to Holy Trinity Church today, whether as visitors from out of town, family members joining others here for worship today or even soon-to-be members here for the first time. No matter what the reason the Holy Spirit brought you here today, we welcome you with open arms and hearts filled with the love of Christ. Please help us welcome you by signing in at the hospitality table in the Narthex, where you will be presented with a yellow lapel Cross to help our Holy Trinity family know you're here. Please fill out an information card so we can contact you with any information you may need concerning life here at Holy Trinity Church. Following Liturgy, we invite you to stop by our Connect Center located in the Gallery and join us for our Fellowship Coffee hour.

About Receiving Holy Communion in the Orthodox Church

As an extension of our hospitality and outreach ministries, we welcome all who have come to worship with us today. Whether you are an Orthodox Christian, an inquirer to the faith or a first-time guest in an Orthodox Church, we are pleased to have you with us and thankful for the opportunity to share and bear witness to this ancient and timeless Faith. In accordance with the holy canons and traditions of the Church, please note that Holy Communion and the other Holy Mysteries (Sacraments) are received only by those who are baptized and chrismated (confirmed) Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared through prayer, fasting and confession. All others are invited receive the antidoron (blessed bread) and a blessing from the priest at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. The antidoron is not a sacramental offering but is blessing and a reflection of the agape (love) feast that followed worship in the ancient Christian Church. Please join our parish family for hospitality after the holy services and allow us to meet and welcome you. Interested in joining or learning more about the Orthodox Christian Faith? Please see one of our priests or complete a visitor’s card today!

            For those who do receive, please remember the following helpful hints aimed at helping to preserve the solemnity and safety of the Holy Mystery: 1) The Church School Staff only is asked to please proceed first to receive from the left-most chalice so they may depart for their classrooms before their students arrive; 2) All other students, parishioners and Orthodox Christian guests, please remain at your place until you are dismissed by the Parish Council down the center aisle only; 3) We respectfully ask women to remove their lipstick before approaching the Holy Chalice; 4) Please wait in the Holy Communion line reverently, prayerfully and quietly without talking; 5) It is traditional as we approach with awe that we make the sign of the Cross  or bow down with a “metanoia” as an act of humility before the Lord; 5) Be sure to offer your baptismal name to priest before receiving; 6) Please take great care to place the red cloth under your chin and to fully open your mouth so that none of the precious Body and Blood of Christ is accidentally spilled, then to dab your lips on the cloth afterwards so none of the Holy Gifts are left on other objects. Thank you for your cooperation, and may God have mercy on us all!